Google Pixel Watch 2 price, release date, news, and more
Google Pixel Watch 2 price, release date, news, and more
The Google Pixel Watch 2: What to Expect from the Upcoming Smartwatch
Image Source: Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
Google, a brand that we all have a love-hate relationship with, has made a name for itself with its successful Pixel smartphones. Last year, they also ventured into the smartwatch market with the release of the Google Pixel Watch, which had mixed reviews. Now, we’re eagerly anticipating the release of the Pixel Watch 2, hoping that it will address the shortcomings of its predecessor and bring even better features and improvements.
Design: Modern, Minimalistic, and Stylish
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The original Pixel Watch impressed with its modern, minimalistic design. We can expect the Pixel Watch 2 to follow in its footsteps, featuring a domed display, a rotating digital crown, and unobtrusive band mechanisms. However, one area where improvement is needed is the bezels on the round display. Thinner bezels would enhance the overall aesthetics of the smartwatch.
Durability is expected to be similar to the first Pixel Watch, and it is likely to run on Wear OS, potentially Wear OS 4. This would offer users a clean and customizable user experience, focused on Google services, with integration of Fitbit features and support for third-party apps.
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Health, Fitness Tracking, and Sensors for an Active Lifestyle
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One of the standout features of the original Pixel Watch was its integration with Fitbit, and we can expect this to continue with the Pixel Watch 2. Fitbit’s toolkit and companion app will enable the Pixel Watch 2 to track a wide range of fitness and health data, including steps, floors climbed, distance, Active Zone minutes, calories burned, and heart rate. Fitbit premium users can also enjoy detailed sleep-tracking and additional advanced features.
In terms of sensors, the Pixel Watch 2 is likely to retain the traditional GPS, accelerometer, altimeter, compass, gyroscope, optical heart rate sensor, Fitbit ECG app, and a SpO2 sensor. It is worth noting that the SpO2 sensor on the original Pixel Watch was not available initially, but we hope that it will be integrated from the start in the Pixel Watch 2.
Specs: A More Powerful and Efficient Wearable
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The Google Pixel Watch 2 is rumored to offer improvements in battery life by ditching the Samsung Exynos chip in favor of a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset from the latest W5 generation. The new Snapdragon W5 chip is built on 4nm technology and features four A53 cores clocked at 1.7GHz, along with a dual Adreno 702 GPU clocked at 1GHz. In comparison, the original Pixel Watch used the Exynos 9110 chip, which was built on a 10nm process and had two Cortex-A53 cores. This upgrade in the processor should improve overall performance and energy efficiency.
Another potential addition to the Pixel Watch 2 is ultra-wideband (UWB) capabilities, thanks to an NXP UWB module. The details on the software features enabled by this technology are yet to be revealed. Possibilities include precise device finding, unlocking your car with Digital Car Key, and seamless media transfer to UWB-enabled devices like Google Pixel Tablets or Nest speakers. However, recent filings with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) suggest that UWB might not be available on the Pixel Watch 2, so we’ll have to wait for further updates.
Battery Life: Extended Usage for a More Convenient Experience
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The chip used in the Pixel Watch 2 will play a crucial role in determining its battery life. Currently, the Pixel Watch is rated for 24 hours with the always-on display turned off. With the improved processor and optimized software, the Pixel Watch 2 may have a longer battery life, potentially lasting close to two days with adjusted settings to conserve power.
Moreover, the Pixel Watch 2 may inherit advanced sensors from the Fitbit Sense 2, such as continuous electrodermal activity (cEDA) for all-day stress management tracking and a skin temperature sensor. These additional sensors would provide users with more comprehensive health insights.
Pricing: Competitive and Reasonably Priced
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In terms of pricing, the first-generation Pixel Watch was priced at $350 for the Bluetooth/Wi-Fi model and $400 for the LTE version. This places it in the same price range as competitors like the Apple Watch Series 8 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 5. Considering the expected improvements and features of the Pixel Watch 2, the starting price of $350 would be reasonable, especially for users who own Pixel smartphones.
Release Date: A Launch Alongside the New Pixel Phones
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Historically, Google tends to release its next-generation Pixel phones in October, aligning with major competitors like Apple and Samsung. Therefore, it is highly likely that the Google Pixel Watch 2 will launch alongside the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro later this year. Recent FCC filings have further confirmed this, indicating that three models (G4TSL, GC3G8, and GD2WG) of the Pixel Watch 2 have been submitted for certification.
Wishlist: Additional Features We Hope to See in the Pixel Watch 2
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While we anticipate the features mentioned above, there are a few additional improvements we hope to see in the Pixel Watch 2. Firstly, a broader range of sizes would be appreciated, acknowledging that not all wrists are the same. Competitors like Apple and Samsung offer multiple sizes for their smartwatches to cater to different preferences.
Furthermore, we would love to see a thinner bezel on the watch face, making better use of the screen real estate. The current bezel on the Pixel Watch is rather thick, reducing the available display space.
Lastly, battery life should be significantly improved in the Pixel Watch 2. Early reviews of the original Pixel Watch highlighted its limited battery life, causing users to frequently recharge the device. Hopefully, with the upgraded processor and optimized power management, Google addresses this concern in the second-generation model.
As October approaches, we eagerly await the official release of the Google Pixel Watch 2, hoping that it will exceed expectations and become a worthy competitor in the smartwatch market. Stay tuned for more updates on this highly anticipated device.
